They’re Worshiping the Wrong Person

My five year old was looking at an old 80’s band in a concert on YouTube (ask my husband what that was about!). The audience was crammed up to the stage as concerts usually look like with their hands raised and chanting. “Daddy,” Maxx said, “They’re worshiping the wrong person.” I was amazed how he could discern that in just a couple of minutes. It would be easy to work late every night with meetings and ministry gatherings, but when your kids watch the amount of time you’re at home, would they, after evaluation, know you are worshiping the right person?

Here are some ways to determine what message you’re sending:

• Ask your spouse how you’re doing?
• Check the “joy meter” of your family members. Are they peaceful and happy? Are you?
• Looking at your calendar, are there more family events/times or ministry events. Sometimes quality is not measured by actual minutes spent.
• Are you mentally home when you’re home?

Utilize some steps or tools to get things in order. A yearly Family Action Plan is a way to help your family be in a place of priority. Just as your ministry calendar reflect the ministry goals, make sure your calendar includes family goals. Perhaps choose a theme scripture for your family for the year, or family vacations that will produce the outcome you hope. If you desire to teach missions to your kids, make sure you’re doing something as a family that will instill that heart. Plan time with your spouse. It will benefit your whole family and it also models healthy love and value. While you plan your year, don’t forget simple ways to show your family you care by planning devotional times and time for prayer as a family. It is worth the time invested. Take seriously the goals of your family so you keep your family and Christ the center of your life.

To worship the right person needs to start with the personal relationship with Christ. It’s unfortunate that ministers have lost their family and their walk with the Lord because they have lost balance and begun to worship what they do for the Lord; making it about them. Like a thief, the shock of the brokenness of their family or the grief of a divorce takes place in a blur. No one asks for this. No one plans for this. But somehow the worship transferred from Christ and Christ-like things to themselves. It’s imperative to arrange your time to keep Christ at the center of who you. Studying for a sermon cannot take the place of personal application of the Word to your life. Prayer and intercession for others and the church cannot take the place of listening and talking to the Lord about what’s going on in your life. Regardless of how much you do for the Lord, He wants to have a relationship with you not your deeds.

Many are setting up the ministry calendar for next year. It’s also a great time to reevaluate how your time is spent and what your kids see when they watch your ministry model. Whether you choose to ask the questions, set up your Family Action Plan or increase your intimacy with the Lord, goals are easier to hit when you reflect on them more than once a year. Talk with someone to help you evaluate where you are and hold you accountable to keep Christ and your family in their place. It will be worth it to make necessary changes so you’re kids know you’re worshiping the right person.